I co-founded Guidewire Group in 2004, and it has been my preoccupation ever since. Still, I have a hard time saying no to people and projects that pique my curiousity and my passion for entrepreneurship. I serve on a few boards as either an advisor or director, and I'll have coffee with just about anyone who wants to bounce around an idea. These activities leave me with limited time and since enjoying life with my family and friends is always the superior choice, I will only take on additional projects that offer a unique challenge and the opportunity to work with smart people in a constructive, collaborative atmosphere.
I travel frequently enough to know many United flight attendants by sight and a few by name. Because I travel enough that I need to use that time productively, my clients pay for business class airfare on any flight over three hours.
When I'm not on a plane or at Guidewire Group's Studio G facility in downtown Redwood City, I work pretty effectively from my home office. What choice do I have, considering the view from my study window. It's either work or stare at the neighbor's garage, which wouldn't be that interesting except that the neighbor is a bit eccentric and I think has taken up living in the garage. . . but that's a story for another time.
When you call my home office, don't be surprised if the phone is answered with a chorus of barking. We're working on better house manners, but Mojita del Medio de la Noche gets excited when I get work. Someone needs to keep her in organic-wheat-free-non-fat-hypo-allergenic kibble and to date she has not found meaningful employment. Nevertheless, Ms. del Medio (a.k.a., Mo, Snackie, Moisha, Ms. Doodle, Missy Mo, and -- on occasion -- Bad Dog) is a great sounding board for new ideas, a careful listener, and slow to criticize. She manages the security of the business, ever vigilant lest the letter carrier, UPS driver, or FedEx guy be so bold as to sneak up and leave a package unattended.
Why do I tell you this? Because I have come to a point in my career where I think (I hope) I can choose to work with people of like mind and character. I mention these few things about my work environment to give you a sense of who I am and how I work. If this background sets you back, then maybe it's best we go our separate ways. If, on the other hand, you'd like to meet Mo or see which way the Madonna statue in the neighbor's garage is facing, then please give me a call.
